Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

[Mos1ted]

I've been on a EA boycott during this generation. Other than the early NCAA's of this console generation, I haven't purchased a single EA (sports or general) game since 2006. Actually, I take that back, I did pick up Madden 10...briefly.

I've been gaming for 20 years. Of course, over time my interests have changed a little. Before as long as the game sort of appeared to mimic its respective sport, I enjoyed it. I didn't care about realistic stats or things of that nature. Nowadays, I want games that I can get immersed in; I want to feel that the only way I can succeed is to use "real world" logic rather than "video game" logic. I think Madden 11 may finally be one step closer to that.

The problem I had with the NCAA 11 demo was that I was able to use the same strategy I used way back on NCAA 04, 05, and so on: get a fast QB, rollout, go for the strike if available or simply scramble for the first down. It worked almost all the time. While that demo was impressive to me visually, I couldn't see myself enjoying the game long term, so I passed on getting the retail.

After reading the Madden 11 demo impressions, I too was a bit skeptical about the game. But I decided to play and get a feel for the game myself. Visually, it's not that much different than last years game, but I am no longer the graphics whore I once was during my teen years, so I'm willing to let that go. Although, I do hope the jerseys get dirty. I always liked that little touch in sports games.

On the field, this game feels more confined than the NCAA demo. I feel like I have to nickel and dime my way down the field to put together and successful drive, rather than go for the long bomb every play. That's what I like most about it though. I like a game that forces me to slow the game down and exhibit patience rather than just lucking my way to victories. I like that I have to take my time, stay in the pocket, scan the field, look for the best opportunity for the completion, and oh yeah, avoid the pass rush. I feel like a real QB in this game, and that is the first time I've ever felt that way on an EA football game. The only other game this generation to replicate that feeling for me was APF 2K8.

As far as locomotion goes, I personally feel that it's another victim of the EA Hype Machine. It's not that game changing to me in my opinion. I still see plays and movement that defy momentum and the law of physics. I think it they were to implement the physics engine that Backbreaker has, this would really break it wide open then. But until then, I guess I have to deal with the canned tackling animations and such that has plagued Madden football for generations. Ultimately, it's not a game killer to me; moreso a nitpick at this point. It doesn't harm the progression on the field, and it still looks like football so I can deal with it.

I'm a fan of GameFlow. As a player who only called the same 10 or so plays in previous editions, GameFlow makes sense to me. No need in using the whole play book and wasting time sorting through plays. If anything, it forces me to try different plays that I otherwise would not have picked. And for gamers who dislike this feature, at least you still have the option to use the whole playbook before each play.

I also like the new kicking meter. In previous editions, I feel that I can always make any given field goal (inside of 60 yards) with any kicker in the game. With the new meter, your kicker's rating actually matters a bit more. I would have preferred it if they were able to keep the old mechanic but somehow make it more challenging as I do prefer that mechanic more, but if this is the way they have to go to make kicking something to actually concentrate on again, then I'm all for it.

Will I purchase the retail? I'm not sure. I'm yet to purchase the NCAA retail, and I do want to try that out to give it a fair shake. With the price of games being $60, I want to make sure that the game is going to be a good long term investment first. So I will rent both and decide if either game is worthy of a purchase for me. In other words, which game if any will make me still want to play it well into February and March of next year.

Based on the Madden 11 demo, I can say that the prospects of this game are promising to me.

[MarvellousOne]

Wasn't really that bad, gameflow is a decent feature strategy pad is really weird and I'm not completely a fan of it but it will take sometime to get used to. Overall Madden demo was alright locomotion really does help the game out, and I did enjoy coming from behind to beat the jets once I got a feel for the game 21-20 (was down 20-0 at halftime lol). I will pick up madden this year since I have NCAA Football, it's almost a bundle pack for me anytime I get NCAA.

[vch1212]

Quote: Originally Posted by ChubbyBanana

Just Report them. We're trying to clean it up. Negativity is fine, however non-constructive criticism, telling a developer to "**** off", etc. is not. And as a final warning to any other readers, TOS Violations won't be tolerated by any members in this thread.

I understand that being rude isn't right, but If someone have a gripe about EA and the development team, why can't a person voice those gripes? If a difference is backed up with facts, Like how the reason they can't expand that much on certain game modes is because their old code holds them back, or that they use the same commentating over and over instead of getting the team in the booth and recording fresh new stuff. Why cant I voice an opinion that might hurt their feelings. This is the business they chose and they know that they will get feedback whether good, bad or indifferent they will get feedback.

Most of the Madden core fans are smart and just feel shafted sometimes like I know Gameflow is just "ask madden" dressed up and I feel patronized by that. Why is this wrong? In my business I don't want people around me who only tell me good stuff. Sometimes I need to hear the blasts so I can progress and better myself as I know I don't know it all. Anyway Im just asking because I want to stay here cause I see there are real fans here but do I have to just praise EA even though they need to hear a little tough love.

[Critical Kills]

SA1NT401 - I think EA has given me a new cause to rage against aside from the dreadlocks - this little bundle of misery they call the Strategy Pad!

[predsfan]

I played one half before quiting and deleting the demo. I found it steps back from last year's game. I didnt buy Madden for about 3-4 years around 2003-2007 and I won't buy it again this year. I also don't like the dumbing down of the game.
Graphics do look nice, but I find NCAA more enjoyable and will stick with that.
I do like the old play calling (3 plays, press Square, X, or Triangle) more than the change that NCAA took.
The Strategy Pad also was a disappointment.

5/10

[Matt Diesel]

Played the demo.

I do not know how else to explain it other than it feels very Fisher-Price. The style seems very elementary and deliberate.

The strat pad thing is for the birds. Maybe it will get better the more you use it. Why change something for the sake of just changing it if it works fine?

The gameplay is neither significantly better nor significantly worse than last year.

Maybe team play would be fun but other than that, its whatever.

[Raven Nation42]

Played demo last night and lost to Colts 17-14 in ot. Pro's Love the feel of the sticks when running the ball, very fluid . Wr animations improved esp near sidelines . Gameflow very nice but would also recommend gameplanning to remove many of the streak pass plays that prior post spoke of earlier. Cons Defense seemed to give up to many big pass plays. I play with lbs and de lineman alot and loved the animations on the push rush, just sick but while I did sack Peyton a couple of times, I still feel like there were other times when I should have gotten to him and he was able to get rid of the ball. The new fg /punt features will take some getting use to but I like it though. No comment on d-pad adjustments as I didn't use it but can see how this can be a concern if you aren't able to make subtle adj prior to the snap. Overall not a bad demo. Curious to see the final build on this in a couple of weeks. Side note ** I saw the use of gang tackling where the ball carrier gets knocked back/side as oppose to just falling down/forward in prev versions. Nice

[Skyboxer]

Quote: Originally Posted by vch1212

I understand that being rude isn't right, but If someone have a gripe about EA and the development team, why can't a person voice those gripes? If a difference is backed up with facts, Like how the reason they can't expand that much on certain game modes is because their old code holds them back, or that they use the same commentating over and over instead of getting the team in the booth and recording fresh new stuff. Why cant I voice an opinion that might hurt their feelings. This is the business they chose and they know that they will get feedback whether good, bad or indifferent they will get feedback. Most of the Madden core fans are smart and just feel shafted sometimes like I know Gameflow is just "ask madden" dressed up and I feel patronized by that. Why is this wrong? In my business I don't want people around me who only tell me good stuff. Sometimes I need to hear the blasts so I can progress and better myself as I know I don't know it all. Anyway Im just asking because I want to stay here cause I see there are real fans here but do I have to just praise EA even though they need to hear a little tough love.

No where does anything say they can't voice their opinion. NOWHERE.
However you have to do it without being an *** and being insulting. If they can't voice your opinion in an adult manner then that's their problem.

Also the bolded part.. 2 words...
Strategy Pad

just play'n